“Ladies,” Lord Lymington said with real enthusiasm, “what a terrific ride! Duchess, Lady Isabel, I had no idea you were both such skilled horsewomen.”
“If I do a thing, Lord Lymington,” the duchess said, “I determine to do it creditably.” She glanced down at his horse’s hooves and said, “Your horse has seemed to have kept all his shoes, so it is a fine day for everybody.”
“Yes, well, we’ll see what happens about that,” Lord Lymington said. “Did I tell you that only last week…wait, no. I know what I’ll ask, what do you think about the weather?”
Isabel smiled. He’d stopped himself going into another horse story. One could not fault Lord Lymington with lack of effort.
The duchess said, “My butler is an expert on the weather, my lord. He says it is to be a puffing easterly all day. That is, unless the dolphins are too energetic and throw the whole thing off. Most people have no idea how dolphins can affect the weather.”
“Gad, do they really?” Lord Lymington said.
“Oh yes, if they are too lively, they create a disturbance.”
“I had no idea,” the lord said. “That seems like a smashing topic of conversation. You know, because Lady Isabel told me to stop talking about horses.”
“I fully back the suggestion to pull the reins on the subject of horses, Lord Lymington,” the duchess said gravely. “Though, one must have a very deep knowledge of predicting weather to speak creditably on it.”
Seeing the lord’s downcast expression, the duchess followed up with, “But if you are truly interested, you might interview my butler on the subject. Carlson would be delighted to share his expertise.”
Isabel’s eyes widened. Where on earth was this going? She only wished for Lord Lymington to learn how to speak about commonplaces. Not predicting the weather like Carlson with his dolphins and who knew what else. Betsy said he’d even mentioned that crows could bring in fog—what a notion!
“I would consider it a great favor, Duchess,” Lord Lymington said.
“Your eyes are about to be opened regarding mother nature, Lord Lymington. Your eyes will be openedwide.”
As Isabel considered this looming disaster in the making, a lone gentleman walked his horse toward them. And not just any gentleman. It was Mr. Vance.
Chapter Ten
Isabel watched HarryVance take his horse from a walk to a trot when he spotted them. He was disarmingly handsome astride. Of course he would be.
The duchess spotted him too and muttered, “What ishedoing here?”
Lord Lymington, not having the temperament to understand the duchess’ meaning, said, “I’ll take a guess—he’s exercising his horse. What do you think, Lady Isabel?”
“I am sure you are right, Lord Lymington,” Isabel said, biting her lip.
“Your Grace,” Mr. Vance said, tipping his hat. “Lady Isabel, Lymington.”
“Say, Vance,” Lord Lymington said, “did you know that dolphins affect the weather? I just found it out myself.”
Mr. Vance’s expression indicated he had known no such thing and was not very inclined to believe it. “Really,” he said, as more a statement of incredulity than a question.
“Indeed,” Lord Lymington said. “They create a disturbance. Makes sense, when you think about it.”
“Does it?” Mr. Vance asked.
“Mr. Vance,” the duchess said in a regal tone, “I am certain you make your way somewhere. We would not wish to keep you from it.”
Isabel winced. While it was true that Mr. Vance could not be considered as eligible, at least not to her particular requirements, the duchess bordered on rude. And this, after Mr. Vance had saved her tiara and she’d not bothered to thank him for it.
“No destination could be more compelling than escorting two fine ladies through the park,” Mr. Vance said cheerfully. Though his words were cheerful enough, Isabel thought his expression was one of firm determination.
“Nicely said!” Lord Lymington exclaimed. “How did you think of it?”
“It is only the truth,” Mr. Vance said.
“Isee. The truth. Interesting,” Lord Lymington murmured.
